Flexible connection



Jan. 24, 1933. H; w. BELL 1894973 FLEXIBLE CONECTION Original Filed March 27, 192a 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Jan. 24, 1933. H. w. BELL. 1894973 FLEXIBLE CONNECTION Original Filed March 27, 1926 4 Sheecs-Sheet 2 9- A TTORNEYS.

FLEXIBLE ONNECTION Origi nalFiled March 27, 1926 4 Sheets-Shee 3 IN VEN TOR.

FLEXIBLE CONNECTION Original Filed Maroh 27, 1926 4 Sheecs-Sheet 4 \9 INVENTOR.

FE /0@ 7 BY E[- m M A TTORNEYS.

Patente Jan. 24, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARVEY W. BELL, OF ARDSLEY-ON-I'IUDSON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T TEE BELOYT COBIPORATION', O]? NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATIOI\T OF DELAWARE FLEXIBLE co1v1xmcrro1xr A pp1ication filed March 27, 1926, Serial N0. 97,838. Renewed June 17, 1932.

This invention relates to means for flexibly connecting relatively movable members, such, for example, as the springs and body oir' an automobile.

5 It is an object of the invention to provide a compression shmckle for supporting the body 01' sprung parts of the vehicle from the springs, which is capable 0f permitting pivotal and limited bodily movement of the body relative t0 theconnected spring, but

which employs no relatively movable, metallic members in bearing engagement with one another.

It is a further object 130 provicle a shackle which permits relative movement of the body and spring, as described, laut which avoicls rubbing engagement 0f relatively movable parts, altogether.

Other objectsand advantages Will hereinafrer appear.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary, front elevation of a motor vehicle, disclosing one form of compression shackle embodying features of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a, sectional, side elevation cf the Parts disclosed in Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a section similar t0 Figure 2 of certain paits shown in Figure 2, illustrating the change elf-eeted in a. spacer used, by

clamping it;

Figures 41 and 5 are a front elevation und a sectional, side elevation respectively of a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a sicle elevation of still another form of the invention;

Figures 7 and 8 are side and end elevations respectively 0f a further embodiment;

Figure 9 is a horizontal section on the line 99 0f Figure 7;

Figures 10 and 11 are a side elevation and an end elevat-ion respectively of still another forma 0f the invention;

Figures 12 and 13 are a side elevation and an end elevation respectively of a further construction embodying features of the invention;

Figure 14 is a detail, front, sectional eleva tion on the line 14-14 0f Figure 12;

Figures 15 21I1Cl 16 are a, section, side ele- Vation und front elevation respectively of another form 01 the invention; Figure 16 being taken on line 16-16 of Figure 15.

In the embocliment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 the vehicle bocly is supportecl through 2 eornpression shackle connectecl between and 10m1ng a vehicle spring 1 and a frame 11163111- ber or bracket 2 0f th-e bocly. lt is a. characteristic ancl novel feature of this shackle that it sustains the vehicle bocly from the spring uncler compression, anal permits tilting and bodily movement 0'f the spring relatively to the bocly, yet involves n0 rubbing engagement of relatively movable parts.

The novel shackle comprises a flexible linli 65 0r platze 3 of rubberizecl fabric er other flexible, inelastic, non-metallic material held a1; its upper end 130 the frame 1ne1nber 2, between clamping mernbers 4 anal 5, by bolts 6, passecl through the frame mem-loer and through tl1e members 4 anal 5 and clrawn fast thereto by nuts 7. The link 3 is similarly clamped t0 a down-turned end 01 spring 1 between 1nembers 8 and 9 by means of bolts 10, passed through saicl members 8 and 9, ancl through the spring end, ancl drawn fast thereto by nuts 11. The clamping faces 0f the members 4, 5, 8 and 9 'are preferably corrugatecl t0 provicle for securely gripping the fabric. The members 4:, 5, 8 and 9 have outturnecl shoulders b-etweten which is interposed a compresSible block 12 of rubber er other suitable material forming Ehe compression member 01:

clamping members und through tlie block 12 90 and link 3 am]. drawn fast thereon by nuts 16. The flexible link 01 strap 3 constitutes a flexible tension connection between the spring 1 and the frame me1nber 2, limiting relative bodily movement between them. The material of the strap 3 is strongly re sistant to flexure in the plane of its body ancl is of such wiclth that it Will efl'ectively prevent side sway of the vehicle when held under tension bythe rubber block 12-111 the manner describecl. The weighb 01"? the vehicle;is sustairied,howeve by the rbber block 12 acting against shoulclers 17, 18, 19 a-nd- 20- on thqclamping members 4, 5, 8 und 9. Itwill.

beseen thatthese Shoulders .1re rounclecl so that they peimit the rubber block 12 to have a rolling motion upon then1. Thus, t;he d;i s pla.cement o-f the spring toward the left, with reference tothe vehicle frame es viewed in Figure 2, would rock tl1e rubber block abouc the eurved surface of the shoulder 17 ;mcl about the curved surface of the sh0ulder 20.

- The block would, ab the seine time, be com- Spring 1 with relation to ehe fran1e nielnber pressed betWeen the cla1nping member 13 ancl the shoulder 17 ancl between the dampii1g member 14 and the shoulder 20, the1e-i sistanceof-the block t-o compression opposing such relative movement of the spring and frame member, and tex1ding torestore the parts to normal position. Displa cement of the spring toward the right with rel'2ition co the fram@ member 2, es seen in Figure 2,

would cause the block to act in 2r similar manner with the sh0ulders 18 and 19.

The shackle is zissemblecl Wich ehe rubber noflcompressed. If the loa cl 'were put on tho shackle in this stete, the fabric would have a tendency to buckl'e. 'Thebolt is drawn up tQ compress the rubber und separate t he frame from the spring, thus putting the fabriender tension so that it is efi'ective to pre vent separation of the spring and frame in operation.

1 It Will be seen that this construction provides for pivo-tal ancl boclliy movement o f the 2 without involving the use of any relatively 1novable, n1etallic parts having bearing on one another. This shackle, ther efore, re-

5 quires no lubrication, is n0t subject 00 rusting or excessive wear, und Will not squeak or rattle in use.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 4 and 5 a spring 21 is connected t'0 the vehicle frame 22 through another forrn of; compression shackle. This shackle comprises an enclless, flexible strap 23 of rubberiz ed fabric 01 other suitable non-metallicmateriali which is clamped 110 the spring; by

means of a. clarnping plate 24 and bolts 25 passed through the plate 24, strap 23, and

spring 21, and clrawn fast thereto by nuts 26'. The strap 23 is securecl a1: its upperv end ttheframe member 22 ancl to an angle br ace 27: rigid with saidmember 22 by meanso f a,

clamping plate 28 and bolts 29, passed through the clampin plate 28, the strap 23, the reinforcing brac et 27, and the frame member 22, and drawn fast thereto by nuts 30. The intermediate stretches of the strap 23 are drawn together into contact between C'shaped bearing mer'nbers 31 and 32 which' are held together back to back by suitable connecting means, such as rivets 33. The member 31 -has upper and lower curvecl ende 34 und. 35 und the member 32 has u'pper and lower curvedr end's36 aind 37 for cooperation with the strap 23. When the spring moves t0Wfild ehe. left with relation to t he bocly, as seen in Figure 5, th.e str2'x draW1'1tut .b0ut surfaceas 34 a'nd 37, an When Ehe spring is d;ispl a,cegi in the opposite direction, the strap is drawn taut about the surfaries 35 and 36.. It will th;us be 'seefl ihat limited, relative mqvement is permitted in either direct ion; 1

Inthe form of"theinvenbion sh0wn in Fig- V ure 6, straps 38 an l 39 irre passed around C'-shaped clampin a nd bearing members- 40 and 41 respecti'vey und am Connected at their upper 'enols by bolts' 42 und nuts 43 a frame merinber- 44 and t0 a.- reinforcingbraeket 45 seeure totheirmhe member. The

stra.p 39 a-t its lower endis secured by holt 46 eind; mit; 47 to asprihg 48 andg connector ple te 49. The strap38 als iisl0weremi is c n nected bybolt 50*'a.nd nut 51 to connectorplate 49. The connector plate 49 is secured ab its f0riverdehdtdthe sp'ring 48 thro1igh a cl'irm'pingyoke52 that en1braces the spring, aholt 53 beim-g passed through ali-gned 0Penings inthe yoke andthrough-an eye' in t he end of bhe totheframia member 56 and to abracket58" reinf'orcin'gthe frame member, bya clamping washer or plate 59, holt 60 and nut 61; The

strap 57:is clamped atr its 10wer end" to the spring55 and to a.con necto'r. platze 62by a holt: 63, nut 64. and.champing washehor plate 65, Ab opposite sides 0f thestrap5'l other straps 66 are leacl around the.compression=blck54,

these being. clamped at; thei'n middles. to ehe block 54 by. suitable.mens, suchasrivetzs 67" 311d. clamping plates 68. 5 'Ilhese straps a.re

clamped at'theirupper anclzlowerends to\the.

v.ehicle. frames the conriector plate :62 resp (af{c'f;ively; by.bolts a nds 70 and 'nuts 7.1: an 2.

It; will be seen; thab relative ,mov. ementof the spring and ffratme: -member tending to;

rock the compression member 54 Will be permittecl t0 a limited extent, clue '00 the curvecl form of the compression 1ne1nber 54 and the fact that the straps ere slightly extensible.

In the form of the invention shown in Eignres 9 t0 11 the body mernber 73 is proviclecl with a U-shaped, metallic bracket 0r compression meniber 74, which dips downward towarcl the spring 75. A strep 76 is riveted t0 one sicle of the bracket 74 and is securecl ab its lower encl t0 a connector plate 7 7 ancl spring 75. Simila.r straps 78 are rivetecl to the opposite sicle 01 thebracket 74 anal are secured at their lower ende to the connector plaae 77 by suitable n1eans, as rivets or bolts.

In the form of the inVention shovvn in Figures 12 to 14 the frame mernber 79 has a yoke 80 clepending therefrom. A similar yoke 81 rises from i;he spring 82. A strap 83 is clainpecl et its upper ende betvveen a clamping platze 84 and the yoke 80 by means 0f a bolt 85, passed through ehe plate 84, strap 83, yoke 80 and frame member 79, ancl held fast ohereto by nut 86. This strap is passecl aroun :l 2. compression tube er block 87, being secnred ab its micldle to seid block by a rivet 88 anti clamping plate or washer 89. At its lower end the strap 83 is clampecl between a clamping plate 90 and connector plete 91 by means of a holt 92, passed through the spring 82, connector platze 91, strap 83 ancl cla.mping plate 90, ancl helcl thereto by a nut 93. In this for1n 01 the invention the compression member 87 is free t0 move t0 a substantial extent With relation to the other parts, anal hence perrnits eonsidereble freeclom of relative motion betvveen the spring ancl ehe bocly. For the purpose of limiting movement 0f ehe member 87 and of maintaining the parts operatively associated, pins 94 are passed through the yokes 80 and 81 to lie within the compression member 87. These pins, however, are normally ont 0f contact wit-h the member 87 and are designed to act simply es limiting means 130 prevent movexnent of the shackle parts beyond a pre-cleterminecl position, particularly in rebound.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 15 and 16 the frame member 95 is provided with a bearing member 96, having a eurvecl bearing surface which rests upon the novel eompression shackle disclosed. The spring 97 is provided with a si1nilar bearing member 98, having a. curved bearing surfaee npon which the compression shackle rests.

The shackle itself consists of a multiplicity of plies er laminae 01 non-metallic material, such es rubberized fabric. The upper ply 99 of ehe shackle is secured t0 the member 96 by rne ans 0f aclamping plate 100, bolt 101 ancl nut 102. The lower ply 103 of the shackle is similarly secured to the spring 97 by means of a clamping plate 104, bolt 105 ancl nut 106. The intermecliate plies 107 of the shaekle are connectecl with the ouer plies 99 ancl 103 by riveiss 108. These intermediate p1ies 107 are eut away within the body t0 permit the inner ends of the bolts 101 and 105 130 move freely. With this form of construetion a. relative rockingof limited extent is permitted between the spring 97 anal frame member 95 and a greater relative movement of these members tovvarcl and from one another is permitted than in the other embodimehts of the invention. The plies 99, 107 anal 103 could be vulcanizecl together with bolts 101 and 105 in plece.

Bars 109 and 110 on th e bearing members 96 and 98 limit side play cf the plies 99 ancl 103, thus relieving these plies 0f strain at the holtholes, und avoiding vvear.

It is a feature common to all the embodiments 0f the invencion disclosed herein that the relatively movable parts engage one another with a simple roeking or rolling action anal without any rubbing whatever. This is a very important point in a construction of this kind, because it avoids squeaking, obviates wear, and eliminates all neeessity for lnbrication.

Variations may be resorted 130 within the scope of the invention ancl parts of the improvements may be used without others.

What 1 ela.im is:

1. In combination, a supporting member, a snpportecl member, ancl a flexible shackle co1nprising a distortable spacer, and means for acljnsting th.e dimensions of the spacer.

2. In a vehicle, a spring, a body member snpportecl therefrom, ancl n1eans flexibly coupling the spring ancl the body .member, comprising a flexible nommeallic link, elamping rnembers securecl to the upper end of the link and t0 the body member, clamping members secnred t0 the lower end 0f tl1e link and t-o the spring, ancl a compressible spacer interposed between the spring-eonnectecl and borly-connectecl clamping me1nbers, seid clamping members having roundecl faces cli rected toward the spacer 130 provicle for rolling engagement therewith.

3. In a vehicle, a spring, a bocly member, and a. vehicle shackle constructed and arranged 130 per1nit relative rocking and boclily movement o1 the spring ancl the body member comprising a. compressible spacer arrangecl to rock betvveen the spring and the body member.

4. In combination, av supporting member, a supported n1ember, ancl a flexible shackle coupling seid members, seid shackle comprising flexible non-metallic tension means holding the members ageinst separation, an acljustable spacer interposed between the members, and means f0r adj usting ehe spacer to meintain the tension means taut and thereby prevent uneontrolled relative movement of the members.

5. In combination, a supporting member, asupportecl member, a distortable spacer interposod betveen -seiid members taking the normixl load, flexible non-metallic tension meacns connecting the miembers to limit sepa ration thereof, und means for distorting the Spaciar and n1aintaining it in a distorted coudition to separate said members :for causing the tension means to be maintained in a distended condition; 1 In testimony Wheref I have aflixed my signature to thisspecification.

v HARVEY W. BELL. 

